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By Leigh Ann Caldwell and Alex Moe
WASHINGTON – Democrats in the House are threatening to escalate their confrontation with the Trump government, openly threatening to fined, or even jailed, officials found guilty of contempt of Congress.
The growing frustration of Democrats seeking to advance various committee investigations following the report of Special Advocate Robert Mueller arises as the White House has sought to block them against requests for documents and testimonials from law enforcement officials. # 39; administration. And with some members of their ranks continuing to press for imputation hearings, Democratic leaders have vowed to be more aggressive with the administration.
Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House of Representatives' Supervisory and Reform Committee, acknowledged on Tuesday that jail was an option for those in charge of administration who did not comply with the law.
"I said that there was no tool in our toolbox that we should not explore. We're going to look at all these tools from a very practical point of view, "Cummings told reporters. "Maybe we just want to deal with the fines, I do not know, but it's either fines and / or jail time."
A number of committees are deadlocked with the president and the administration on various issues ranging from his finances to the census to the Mueller report.
The president said last week that his administration "fought all subpoenas" issued or likely to be issued by Congress against people or documents. "Subpoenas are ridiculous," said Trump, "I've been by far the most transparent president and administration in the history of our country."
Cummings' recognition has exacerbated the discussions that have taken place among grassroots members in recent days as the administration continues to prevent House Democrats from accessing documents and testimonies.
"I do not think it's the first choice of anyone," said David Cicilline, D-RE, at NBC News. "We recognize that this is an extraordinary recourse, but we also recognize that if the president succeeds in obstructing and taking lengthy proceedings to get around the problem, he will prevent the American people from accessing the truth. "
Frustrated lawmakers know that executive non-compliance takes months or even years to resolve in the justice system. And a third way of compelling a witness to testify will probably not yield any result. A US prosecutor can bring criminal charges, but it is unlikely that Attorney General Barr will order a US prosecutor to act.
The Judiciary Committee of the House currently has discussions with Attorney General William Barr about his testimony scheduled for Thursday.
On Wednesday, after the administration initially refused to make him available and ordered him to ignore a subpoena, the White House's security director, Carl Kline, will entertain him. with the House of Representatives' Monitoring Committee on its role in issuing security clearances to White House officials, including presidential ones. Councilor Jared Kushner. But Cummings said he remained skeptical about Kline's level of cooperation and that he "would determine if we should then go to the next stop" immediately after his appearance.
And the Department of Justice has stated that it would not allow John Gore, Assistant Deputy Attorney General, to appear before the House Oversight and Reform Committee to make a statement following a disagreement over the advice that he is allowed to have in the room. The IRS, under the direction of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, missed two deadlines imposed by the House Committee on Ways and Means for the return of the President's tax returns.
Representative Gerry Connolly, D-Va., And a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said that Congress had the power to investigate and that those who did not comply with the law "did so". at their own risk.
"We will use all the powers of our command to compel you," said Connolly. "You had to have a better lawyer. You'd better be ready for heavy fines. Better to be ready for a possible prison sentence. "
"We will use all available legal means to ensure that the administration fulfills our constitutional responsibility to control the American people," said Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
Imprisoning a witness found to be in contempt of Congress would be a radical step that has not been used for more than 80 years. Although the constitutional confrontation between Congress and the administration is not new, it has evolved over the centuries.
The Supreme Court now sits in the Congress jail. Although MPs are talking about fines, there is no record of a Congress fining those who commit contempt, moving the legislature into unfamiliar territory.
Connolly said the absence of jail in congressional premises did not prevent their ability to imprison.
"As you know, the District of Columbia is within our jurisdiction. There is a beautiful prison with lots of room. I think it would be great for these people to think about their actions and their judgment, "said Connolly.
The stone wall of the administration also feeds the debates on the impeachment. "The combination of the Mueller report and the irresponsible act of Congress's willingness to do its job is pushing many Democrats like me to do more," Connolly said.
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